BAE apprentices target Master’s level

A total of 18 employees at BAE Systems are to embark on a Masters level apprenticeship at Cranfield University as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to nurture talent.

The 18 Systems Engineering Level 7 apprentices, the first at the defence giant to embark on the course, are at the top end of a programme that will see the recruitment of 142 higher (up to degree level) and degree level apprentices. In total, the company plans to hire more than 680 apprentices in 2016. BAE Systems says its apprenticeship scheme offers vocational experience plus training up to degree and masters level, providing apprentices with the opportunity of full time employment with a recognised qualification at the end of their training.

Eurofighter Typhoon

The apprenticeship scheme is open for applications until the end of February 2016. Successful candidates will join the company’s three to five year training programmes working towards designing, building and supporting some of the world’s most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions.

Nigel Whitehead, Group Managing Director, Programmes and Support, BAE Systems, said: “BAE Systems is a company with great ambitions and nurturing a high calibre workforce is vital to our future.”

“We take great pride in the record number of higher level apprenticeships on offer this year and the exciting introduction of master level degrees for our existing employees.

“BAE Systems remains committed to developing the skills needed in our sector and our apprentices enjoy not only high quality training but real hands-on experience developing, building and supporting the cutting-edge products that will safeguard our national security in years to come.”

Half of the 680 apprentices joining the business this year will be based at the submarine design and manufacturing site in Barrow-in-Furness shipyard in Cumbria, delivering the remaining Astute class attack submarines and developing and building the new ‘Successor’ submarines.

Applications for the majority of apprentice opportunities can be made until 29th February 2016. For more details of BAE Systems’ apprentice vacancies visit: http://www.baesystems.com/apprentices

I read this piece with two emotions.
Delight that young persons are reaching for (and aim to become) intellectual ‘stars’ and
Despair that the only elements of ‘industry’ that seem to have the interest and capability to support this endeavour are…those creating weapons and the various platforms to deliver such.
Swords to ploughshares? not if present circumstances are anything to go by?

As other ‘bloggers’ may recall, I have a particular interest in BAe: because I feel at least some responsibility for the advances made under the former CEO, Sir Dick Evans. Hopefully his legacy still nurtures some of the advanced thinking defined in these reports. When he was a very poor cadet in the Rifle Brigade cadet batallion at our school (Royal Masonic -for which the ONLY entry requirement was to be a Lewis -son of a Freemason who was dead) I used to make him double on the spot with his rifle above his head for having ‘dirty’ brasses (buckles on his webbing!) and un-Blanco’d belt and anklets. May I take some credit for the present defence of our realm, if it is?

I was lucky enough to have had a similar training way back in the late 70`s which combined a craft/drawing office apprenticeship with a sandwich degree that involved half the time at work and half at polytechnic. I was even luckier in that in those days the degree course week was full time as opposed to the minimal hours that pass as full time nowadays. Also the work based part included a full year at an excellent dedicated craft training school followed by an extended period of time working in all the departments in the company which was so much better than the pitiful apprenticeship training of today.
I have no hesitation in saying that this combined approach prepared me for work more than any other training that I have seen or heard about since.

Shane confirms what those with a similar privileged (and that is NOT a ‘silver spoon in the mouth!) past (and I count myself lucky to be in his company) within our profession have benefited from greatly. Mine was in the early 60s but lessons, experiences and experience from that era were just as relevant. Someone remind me: what similar background(s) and broad experience do our present apparant kleaders and betters offer: as the route to prepare them to make decisions of life and death for us all. Answers as usual on a post card and written with quill pens, in unlit caves, as that ‘dust-cloud’ of all embracing nuclear muck stifles life upon our planet?